Okay, so we are officially at the countdown to finals... terrifying, I know. Before you start freaking out, take a deep breath and read over these helpful tips.

1. DON'T PANIC! Grab your planner, and get to organizing.
It's easy to lose track of time and become swamped with school, work, and obviously all of the pressures of staying socially relevant, especially at the end of the year. Take out your planner or calendar, and write down everything that needs to be done for the rest of the semester. It'll help you to see what you can realistically accomplish each day and to minimize your list of to-dos. Make yourself a great study playlist, it'll relieve your stress, and you can play it over and over again while you study or even relax during the next few weeks. Make a list of everything you need to complete for each class, and make sure to mark down when your final exams are, that way you know exactly when you need to study in advance.

2. Set goals and rewards to avoid distractions!
Tempted to hang out with friends? Only if you read five chapters for your physics final! Avoid procrastination at all costs! Everyone knows that the library, particularly "Club Alex," can be more of a social gathering than a place where you actually do your work. Instead of going into the main room where all of your friends are, go find yourself a nice quiet spot where its just you, your textbooks and the three walls of your cubby. Camp out the day before to get yourself a good spot... just kidding. But if you could compare Alexander Library to anything, think of a jungle with wild animals (students) on the loose ready to attack when they see their prey (an empty table). When you're alone and ready to study, don't get separation anxiety from social media. A helpful website to use is Self Control. You download it right from the internet, and it has a timer you can set as well as a "black list" of websites you absolutely cannot access until the timer is up, even if you chuck your computer at a stack of books. Say goodbye to scrolling through last week's formal pics, and say hello to acing those finals.

3. Take care of yourself.
Be healthy. Loving your body and treating it right by watching what you eat and exercising regularly, will not only give you more energy, but it'll also make you feel better. Eat plenty of fruits and veggies! Opt for spinach at the salad bar instead of iceberg lettuce, because due to its high folate content, it actually increases brain circulation! Sweet tooth? Don't worry—eating a piece of dark chocolate increases blood flow to the brain. Pack fruit in your backpack next time you're headed to class or to the library. Don't forget to hydrate! Water is better than any energy drink or coffee, so make sure to drink your eight glasses. Make time for the gym. Exercising even 20 minutes a day will refresh your mind and relieve stress—the endorphins released actually suppress anxiety. You can even make flash cards and study them while you're on the elliptical or treadmill. Boom! You killed two birds with one stone. Oh, and one more thing... MIDNIGHT BREAKFAST!!!! (Okay, it's not exactly "healthy," but it's probably the only time you'll run to Brower that excited).

4. Do a little spring cleaning.
Sounds like the last thing you want to be doing right now, but take it from me—a clean room is the first step in putting your life together for finals. Organize your closet, wash your sheets and dig out everything that has been accumulating underneath your bed for the past semester. You're going to feel ready to start studying in no time.

5. Set up study groups and get to those office hours!
Even if you haven't seen your professor closer than 10 feet away this entire semester, it's never too late to visit his office hours! Don't be embarrassed or shy, in fact most professors actually have more hours during those crucial days before and during finals. Bombard them with emails, they'll love it. Set up study groups in each of your classes. Going to the library with people in your class and studying for the same subjects can help you to prepare better. Two minds (or 10) are better than one!

6. Set 87 alarms... to Ke$ha.
Even though it's entirely not recommended, you're most likely going to binge on all those Red Bulls you collected and saved from the Red Bull girls for the momentous occasion of a final. So, you're going to need more than one alarm to wake you up. I'm telling you now, pick the most annoying over-played song you know, and set your alarms to it. You'll wake up, I promise. And if you don't, sleep with the Kuerig next to your bed. Problem solved.

7. Plan the after party.
Once finals are over and done with, you have to have something to look forward to. Plan out what you're going to do after your last final is over. Whether it's nap for 72 hours straight or have a dance party, whatever gets you through finals week is just what you have to do.